NDP Leader Ryan Meili said the Sask. Party had failed their homework assignment and called on them to provide a real plan before schools reopen in September.
Education Minister Gord Wyant has repeatedly placed the responsibility for a safe reopening of schools on school divisions that have long been underfunded by the province. 聽
鈥淧arents, teachers and kids are worried and they are looking for a plan that gives them the confidence they need to return to school,鈥� said Meili.
鈥淚nstead, they got the worst plan in Canada from this Sask. Party government and a minister trying to pass the buck to school divisions that were already struggling with tough budget decisions. This government needs to take responsibility and come up with a real plan, instead one that鈥檚 failing the test and passing the buck.鈥�
In an interview with CBC on the morning of August 5, Education Minister Gord Wyant repeatedly passed the buck to school divisions, saying they had put together their own 鈥淯nique operational plans.鈥�
In the last few months, some聽聽have dipped into their reserves to make up for budget shortfalls and deficits prior to new costs related to the re-opening. 聽
鈥淭his government has been underfunding schools for years and COVID-19 has made clear exactly how that underfunding puts our kids at risk,鈥� Meili said.
鈥淲e know what鈥檚 needed: faster COVID-19 testing, smaller classes, dedicated funding for school divisions and clarity on things like phasing and masks. We need a real plan for a safe return to schools, and we need it now.鈥�
